Pak-occupied Kashmir is part of J&K: Modi at all-party meet on Kashmir

New Delhi: At the all-party meeting held in New Delhi on Friday to discuss Kashmir unrest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of Jammu and Kashmir and said that dialogue must be initiated with PoK expatriates around the world.

"There cannot be any compromise on national security, but we have to win confidence of the people in Jammu and Kashmir," said Modi at the meeting, which lasted for 4 hours.

"We are ready to address the grievances of all sections under the Constitution," the Prime Minister said.

The meeting chaired by Modi was called to discuss the prevailing situation in Kashmir, which is on the boil since Hizbul Mujahideen posterboy Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8. Over 50 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured in clashes between protestors and security forces.

The meeting, which was attended by NDA’s ruling ally PDP and opposition parties, also termed cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan as the root cause of turbulence in the valley.

In the meeting, the Opposition supported government’s attempt to restore peace in the Valley and demanded that immediate confidence building measures be initiated like discontinuation of pellets guns and lifting AFSPA from civilian areas. The Opposition also advised the government to initiate talks with stake holders, including separatists.

Read: Start political dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir: Sitaram Yechury

During the recent protests in the Valley, over 100 people have been blinded by pellets used by security forces to curb protestors.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who spoke first for the Congress, said the ‘Centre must show it is a caring government.’

Another Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “We will be satisfied only when the ground situation improves and the government takes steps.”

This is the second time in less than a week Modi has reached out to the people of the state and shown willingness towards dialogue with all stake-holders there.

Modi also used the platform to hit out at Pakistan for its screwed human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Balochistan and said it will have to answer to international community for the atrocities it was committing there.

Sharing the main points of his government's Kashmir policy, Modi asked the External Affairs Ministry to try to contact citizens of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, living in different parts of the world, to get details of the area's pitiable condition and share them with the international community.

The government's efforts include reaching out to the civil society and speed up measures to integrate Kashmir's youth with the state's economic activities.

Seeking support of all political parties, the Prime Minister said, "When terrorism is on the rise across the world and when we are encircled by terrorism sponsored by the neighbouring country, then we will have to be united in this fight. The government expects constructive support from all opposition parties on this."

"I have complete confidence that with the dedication of the state government and with your total cooperation we will soon restore normal life in Jammu and Kashmir again," he said as he praised Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's government for its "careful handling" of the issue despite odds.

Like every Indian, he also felt "deep pain" over the events in the state, he said, adding it was painful that students were unable to study, apples produced in large quantity in the valley were not reaching markets and government offices were unable to carry out public welfare works.

"Whoever be killed, whether civilians or security forces, we all feel the pain. I have full sympathies with their families. We are committed to providing good health care to the injured and also towards restoring peace in the valley so that people could live their normal lives..." he said in his concluding remarks.

Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee again, he said his government would follow the path shown by him, a reference to the former Prime Minister's offer to hold dialogue under the framework of 'insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat'.

Noting that Kashmiris of different religions are living in various states, the Prime Minister said the governments there should reach out to them and ensure that they share with their relatives and acquaintances back home the stories of progress and development in those areas.

After the meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced a development package of over Rs 80,000 crore for overall development of Jammu and Kashmir and its people.

On Opposition’s demands, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that security implications of banning pellet guns will be considered and decision will be taken after expert committee evaluation.

Jaitley further said that security forces have been asked to maintain utmost restraint. However, no decision has been taken on all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir as of now.

On talks with separatists and Hurriyat, Jaitley said decision on talks to be evaluated by government according to the prevailing situation.

“There will be no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned. Terrorism and violence to be dealt with effectively, says Jaitley.

The meet was held right after the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution on the Kashmir situation, appealing for urgent steps to restore order and peace in the valley while asserting that there can be no compromise with the country's integrity and security.

In the resolution read out by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, the House appealed to all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir to restore the confidence among the people in general and youth in particular.

The House "conveys its deep sense of anguish and concern over the loss of lives and critical injuries caused by the deteriorating situation," it said.

Amid thumping of desks by members from all sides, the resolution asserted that the House "is of the firm and considered view that there cannot be any compromise on unity, integrity and national security.

The Opposition had been relentlessly attacking Modi for failing to make any statement on the ongoing Kashmir unrest in the Parliament till date.

"Prime Minister Modi tweets on events across the world, but he was silent on Kashmir crisis. When something happens in Africa, the Prime Minister tweets about it. But when the Taj of India is burning, the heat is not reaching the central government," Leader of Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad had said on Wednesday.